Lupus and other autoimmune disorders can cause debilitating symptoms such as joint pain, inflammation, and fatigue. Although there is no known cure for immune disorders, many studies have shown that certain natural compounds may help to manage or reduce their effects. One of these compounds is oleocanthal, a compound in extra virgin olive oil linked to improved immune system functioning.
In this blog from OLEOCAN™, we’ll take a deep dive into how oleocanthal works and how it could benefit those suffering from autoimmune disorders.
Table of Contents:
- What is Oleocanthal?
- What is Lupus?
- Understanding Autoimmune Disorders and Their Impacts on Health
- Common Autoimmune Disorders
- How Can Oleocanthal Help Lupus and Other Immune Disorders?
- Oleocanthal and Lupus: A New Study
- Conclusion
People Also Ask:
Is oleocanthal good for you?
To put it simply, yes! Oleocanthal is a natural compound packed with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research studies have shown that implementing oleocanthal into your diet by taking supplements can help reduce risks for cardiovascular disease and diabetes and even manage autoimmune disorders.
What does olive oil do to your immune system?
Olive oil has been shown to boost immune system health and function and help prevent external attacks from viruses and bacteria. However, it's essential to understand that extra virgin olive oil is the type of oil that provides those powerful health benefits.
Why? Because extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the only oil that contains oleocanthal, a natural compound rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Is olive oil good for autoimmune?
Recent studies have shown that extra virgin olive oil benefits autoimmune conditions and can even help the body combat arthritis, lupus, and other autoimmune disorders due to its high oleocanthal content.
What is Oleocanthal?
Oleocanthal is a natural polyphenolic compound only found in extra virgin olive oil. Because of its high polyphenol content, oleocanthal contains natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain, protect against cognitive decline, cancer, and other damaging health concerns.
Recently, studies have suggested that oleocanthal can even help manage autoimmune disorders like lupus.
What is Lupus?
Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues. The disease can affect many parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and kidneys.
Common symptoms include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Joint pain
- Fever
- Rashes
- Chest pain
- Hair loss
- Headaches
- Light sensitivity
- Memory problems
- Swollen glands and lymph nodes
There is no cure for lupus, but anti-inflammatory intervention can help manage symptoms and reduce flare-ups.
Understanding Autoimmune Disorders and Their Impacts on Health
Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, organs, and cells. These autoimmune reactions can cause inflammation and damage to various parts of the body, leading to a wide array of symptoms, including fatigue, joint pain, rashes, digestive problems, and more.
In many autoimmune diseases, no single cause can be identified, but it is believed that a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental triggers may be at play.
Common Autoimmune Disorders
Unfortunately, an individual can be diagnosed with multiple autoimmune disorders simultaneously.
Some of the most common autoimmune disorders that affect millions of people worldwide include:
- Lupus
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Crohn's Disease
- Psoriasis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Thyroid Diseases (Hashimoto's Disease and Graves' Disease)
- Celiac Disease
- Dermatomyositis
Treatment for autoimmune disorders varies depending on the condition but can include medication and lifestyle changes to control inflammation and reduce symptoms. However, autoimmune diseases cannot generally be cured but must be managed over time.
How Can Oleocanthal Help Lupus and Other Immune Disorders?
Oleocanthal has been shown to act as a potent anti-inflammatory agent by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes which cause inflammation in the body. Studies have indicated that oleocanthal may help reduce inflammation associated with lupus by blocking the COX enzymes from performing their normal functions.
Studies have also suggested that oleocanthal may have some antioxidant properties, which may further help reduce inflammation caused by oxidative stress.
In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects on lupus patients, oleocanthal could also help regulate the immune system by modulating the production of cytokines, proteins involved in cell signaling, and increasing T regulatory cells, which suppress autoimmunity activity.
Finally, research has also shown that oleocanthal can help protect against kidney damage, a common complication of lupus, due to its ability to inhibit inflammatory molecules known as leukotrienes from being released into the bloodstream.
Oleocanthal and Lupus: A New Study
A recent study published in January 2023 by Food Research International offers support for supplementing oleocanthal in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus. This is exciting news, as there is a dire need for effective lupus treatments.
Other recent studies have also suggested the benefits of treating autoimmune disorders like lupus with nutritional therapies for preventing and managing these conditions.
While oleocanthal has been shown to help regulate the immune system's inflammatory response because of its rich anti-inflammatory properties, no studies have analyzed nutritional treatment intervention with oleocanthal for lupus management.
This new study used a mouse model with lupus that replicated the functional abnormalities and pathogenic characteristics seen in humans with lupus. The mice in the experimental group were given an oleocanthal diet supplement for six months, whereas the control mice group was not given the oleocanthal supplement.
After six months, the mice given the oleocanthal showed improved kidney function, blood vessel function, and decreased immune inflammatory activity.
The bottom line: This is the first research study displaying that supplemented oleocanthal can improve the diseased form of lupus. The results of this new study keep researchers hopeful regarding the possibility of helping treat and prevent lupus and, in the future, other autoimmune disorders.
Conclusion
Overall, research into the potential benefits of taking oleocanthal suggests that it could be a useful tool for managing lupus symptoms naturally. While more research needs to be done before we can definitively say whether or not this compound is effective for treating lupus or any other health condition, it certainly appears promising based on current evidence.
For those looking for a natural way to manage their immune disorders like lupus, consider giving oleocanthal a try!